Apparatus for severing wrappers from webs and feeding said wrappers to package-making machines



March 20, 1934. A Q mg; 1,951,844

RING WRAPPERS FROM W APPARATUS FOR SEVE AND FEEDING EBS SAID WRAPPERS TO PAC E MAKING MACHINE Filed D80. 1951 2 eats-Sheet l March 20, 1934. 5 R055 1,951,844

6 WRAPPERS FROM WEBS AND FEEDING MAC APPARATUS FOR SEVE SAID WRAPPERS PACKAGE MAKING HINES File es. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q A'- Glillllllllprn '11:

Patented Mar. 20, 1934 APPARATUS FOR SEVERING WRAPPERS FROM WEBS AND FEEDING SAID WRAP- PERS T0 PACKAGE-MAKING MACHINES Alfred German Rose, Gainsborough, England, assignor to Rose Brothers (Gainsborough) Limited, Gainsborough, England, a British compa y Application December 2, 1931,- Sei'ial No. 578,555 In Great Britain December 12, 1930 9 Claims. (CL 164-49) In modern package-making machines in which articles or materials are enclosed in wrappers which are severed from webs of .paper or similar material, it is usual to sever a succession of single wrappers from a web on which is provided a succession of imprints or designs (one design for each wrapper) spaced at equal,or

approximately equal, distance from each other along it. It is usually required that in each of the wrappers thus severed the design shall occupy an exact predetermined position on its wrapper in relation to the line of severance. Various suggestions have been made for cutting a wrapper from such a web at an exact predetermined position in relation to the design on the particular wrapper.

For example, it has been proposed to employ a combination of two pairs of rotatable rollers and a retarding device comprising two elements betweenlwhich a web provided with a series of spaced designs and corresponding perforations passes, the retarding-devices being adapted to grip the web lightly, the first pair of rollers operating to feed predetermined lengths of the web intermittently to the retarding device, and the second pair of rollers being provided with pegs or like elements which engage the perforations and bring the web into correct successive positions relatively to a cutting device, so that the said cutting device will operate on the web at correct positions relative to the respective designs on the web.

Another proposal is to provide, in caramelwrapping or like machines, mechanism which comprises the combination with a pair of feedrolls which feed a web (having a series of spaced designs and corresponding perforations arranged at regular intervals along it) of a tooth-like projection provided on the end of an electric switcharm and adapted to pass into each perforation at such time as the particular perforation reaches a certain point in its path of travel, and thereby move the switch-arm and energize an electromagnetic brake which arrests the forward movement of the said web whilst a cutter severs a wrapper from the web at an exact predetermined position relative to the design on the said particular wrapper.

Other known examples of mechanism for regulating the positions of severance of sheets from webs-relative to designs on the respective sheets are of a class based upon the use of light-sensitive devices, such as photo-electric cells, selenium-cells, or the like. We will instance two such examples, the first of which comprises a set of draw-:rolls adaptedto withdraw a web (which is provided with a series of designs and corresponding perforations spaced at equal distances from each other therealong) continuously from a roll, a light-sensitive cell arranged on one side of the web, a source of light on the opposite side of the web, means whereby single sheets are severed from the web, and a brake-device or variable-speed gear whereby the speed of continuous travel of the web can be varied, the arrangement being such that when a suficient error of register relative to the severing-device occurs in the web, the light affects the light-sensitive cell which acts, through electrically operated mechanism and a speed-correcting brake-device or variablespeed gear, to accelerate or retard as required the normal rate of continuous travel of the .web. The other example of web-controlling mechanism of the class just described includes the use of a light-sensitive cell, a source of light, and a succession of "control-areas on the web, which control-areas may be perforations or printed designs; in this example the web is fed with a cumulative error, a beam of light is transmitted to the light-sensitive cell either directly or indirectly as may be found convenient, and when the error reaches a predetermined amount, the said cell is afi'ected by the light, and acts through electrically operated mechanism to correct this error by adjusting the setting of a feed roller.

The present invention relates to web feeding apparatus of the type which is arranged to deal with a web provided at spaced intervals along its length with imprints (such as designs or lettering) and control areas one in definite relation to each imprint (which control areas may be constituted by perforations but are preferably constituted by spots which are either opaque, as for example printed spots, or are translucent as compared with the surrounding portions of the web) but solely to apparatus in which the web is fed past a lamp which directs a beam of light on to it and thence on to a light-sensitive device such as a selenium cell, the change in current in the device consequent upon the passage of control area through or into the beam of light being utilized to co-ordinate some other operation (such as the severance of a wrapper from the web) with the feed of the web.

This invention is particuarlyconcerned with providing apparatus for severing such a web into wrappers (each having an imprint) in such a manner that the. severance edges of all wrappers are located in the same predetermined relation to the imprints. The apparatus provided by this invention is particularly applicable to use in paratus of the type described, characterized by the provision of an electro-magnetically operated clamp controlled by the light-sensitive device upon the appearance of a control areain the beam of light to interrupt the forward travel of the Web and to clamp it stationary during the subsequent operation (e. g. cutting).

The subsequent operation aforesaid instead of cutting may for example be the perforation of the web with a line of holes, or the placing of a) further imprint thereon.

Regarded from another aspect this invention provides in web feeding apparatus of the type described, the combination of a continuously rotating feed-roll for the web, and an electromagnetic clamp controlled by the light-sensitive cell and operating on web delivered towards the clamp from said feed-roll to interrupt the forward motion of the web periodically.

Regarded from a still further aspect this invention provides in web feeding apparatus of the type described the combination of a continuously rotating feed-roll, means (e. g. a knife) coupled to said roll to move in regular relation thereto and thereby efiect periodic operations (e. g. cutting) on the web, and an electromagnetic clamp controlled by the light-sensitive device upon the appearance of a control area in the beam of light to interrupt the forward travel of the web and hold it stationary during each operation of the said means so that each of the periodic operations is effected on the web in the same distance relation to the successive control areas and the imprints with which they are associated.

An example of web feeding apparatus according to this invention suitable for incorporation in a packing or wrapping machine will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:--

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus;

Figures 2 and 3 are somewhat similar sectional elevations illustrating certain details as they appear at difierent stages during the operation of the apparatus; and

Figure 4 shows a portion of the web.

Throughout this description like reference numerals indicate like parts.

A web 10 of paper or similar material is drawn from a roll 11 by a continuously rotating feedroll 12 which co-operates with a freely rotatable roll 13. The web passes forward over a feed table 14 and through the nip between a second feedroll 15 and its associated freely rotatable roll 16. Below the plane of feed of the web and beyond the second pair of rolls 15, 16 is a shear plate 17 with which a knife blade 18 co-operates. This knife blade 18 is coupled to the first feed roll 12 to move in regular relation to it and thus periodically sever wrappers from the web. Between the first feed-roll 12 and the second feed-roll 15 the web 10 passes over an aperture in the feed table. Below this aperture are located a lamp 19 and a selenium cell 20. Above the aperture 2. bellcrank lever 21 is mounted which carries at the end of one of its arms an armature 22 and at the other end a clamp 23. Associated with the armature 22 is an electromagnet 24 which is connected with the selenium cell 20, a battery 25 and a relay 26. The armature 22 is drawn. away from the electromagnet 24 by means of a tensionspring 27.

The first feed-roll 12 has a portion of its periphery cut away as at 28. Similarly the second feed-roll 15 has a portion of its periphery cut away at 29 so that although these feed-rolls are rotated continuously they only operate to feed the web 10 intermittently. Associated with the first feed-roll '12 is an insulating ring 30 which carries a stepped conducting ring 31. An insulating segment 32 is let into a portion of the periphery of this ring. A contact 33 which is connected with the electromagnet 24 is arranged so that on the rotation of the feed-roll 12 it wipes over the ring 31 and the insulating segment 32. A further contact 34 which is coupled to the relay 26 is also arranged to wipe over the ring '31, but it makes contact with a reduced diameter of this ring so that it never comes in contact with the insulating segment 32. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that once in each revolution of the feedroll 12 the electrical connection between the relay and the electromagnet 24 (by way of the two contacts 33 and 34) is interrupted and made again.

The diameters of the rolls l2 and 15 are such that, if either of them were a complete cylinder, then the circumferential measurements thereof would slightly exceed the length of wrapper required.

The web is shown in detail in Figure 4. At spaced intervals along its length it is provided with imprints or designs 35 and it is desired to sever this web into individual wrappers in such a manner that the severance edges of all wrappers are located in the same distance relation to the designs. The severance edges are indicated by the dotted lines 36. Adjacent to each design on the wrapper is a control area 3'7 which is constituted by an opaque printed spot.

The operation of the device is as follows: The web is fed forward by the continuously rotating roll 12 until a control area 3'7 comes over the aperture in the feed table. Owing to the presence of an opaque control area the amount of light reflected by the web from the lamp 19 on to the selenium cell 20 is varied, with a conse quent variation in the current through the cell. This current variation is amplified by the relay 26 and is utilized to suck the armature 22 against the electro-magnet 24 and thus rock the bellcrank lever 21. By this movement of the bellcrank lever the web of paper is clamped by the clamp 23 against the upper surface of the feed table and its forward motion thus arrested.

This stage in the operation of the apparatus is illustrated in Figure'2. The feed-roll l2 continues to feed the web forward so that it accumulates behind the clamp 23 and bells out. The second feed-roll 15 is so timed in relation with the first feed-roll that the arcuate portion of its periphery has not quite moved into contact with the web and therefore this roll takes no part in the feed at this moment. During the time when the feed of the web is interrupted by the clamp 23 the knife 18 descends to sever a wrapper 38 from the end of the web and it will be appreciated that the relation of the severance edge to that control area which is at the moment being scanned by the lamp and selenium cell is an exact one.

Immediately after this severance the continued rotation of the first feed-roll l2 brings-the insulating section 32 beneath the contact 33 so that the supply of current 'to the electromagnet 24 is interrupted and the clamp 23 is therefore lifted off the paper by the spring 27. At or about the same time the relieved portion 28 of the periphery of the roll 12-comes over the cooperating roller 13 so that although the roll 12 continues to rotate it does not feed the web forward. Also at or about the same time the armate portion of the periphery of the Second feedroll 15 comes into contact with the web so that this roller co-operates with the roller 16 below it and feeds the web forward. This stage is illustrated in Figure 3. The second roll 15 continues to draw the web forward until it is rendered inoperative by the relieved portion 29 of its periphery coming over the web and at about this time the first roll 12 again becomes operative. ,The cycle of operations is then repeated.

I claim:-

1. In web feeding mechanism of the kind operable on a web provided with control areas in spaced relation along its length and comprising a light sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw light on to said cell by way of the web, the incidence of the light on the cell being modified by the passage of the control areas through it, means for feeding the web past the lamp, and means for effecting some subsequent operation such as cutting on the web, the combination of an electromagnetic clamp, a continuously rotatable feed roll for delivering web towards said clamp and having a portion of its periphery cut away, and control wires between the cell and the clamp, said clamp operating periodically to interrupt the travel of the web which is delivered towards it by the roll.

2. The combination with mechanism according to claim 1, of a second feed roll also having a portion of its periphery cut away, which feed roll is located on the opposite side of the clamp from the first roll and is so timed in relation thereto that the operative portion of its surface engages the web at or' about the same time that the operative surface of the first roll ceases to engage.

3. In web feeding mechanism of the kind operable on a web provided with control areas in spaced relation along its length and comprising alight sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw light on to said cell by way of the web, the incidence of'the light on the cell being modified by the passage of the control areas through it, means for feeding the web past the lamp and means for efiecting some subsequent operation, such as cutting, on the web, the combination of two continuously rotatable feed rolls spaced apart for feeding the web through the beam of light, each feed roll having a portion of its periphery cut away and so coupled together that one feed roll takes up the feed of the web at or about the same time that the other roll ceases to-feed, and an electromagnetic clamp positioned between the two feed rolls for holding the web stationary while that feed roll which web reaches first is inoperative by reason of its cut away periphery.

4. The combination with apparatus according to claim 3 of a' knife for severing portions from the web, and means for operating the knife during that period when the second feed roll is inoperaive.

5. In web'feeding mechanism of the kind operable on a web provided with control areas in spaced relation along its "length and comprising a light sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw light on to said cell by way of the web, the incidence of the light on the cell being modifled by the passage of the control areas throughit, means for feeding the web past the lamp and means for effecting some subsequent operation such as cutting on'the web, the combination of an electro-magnetic clampfor interrupting the travel of the web and holding it stationary during the subsequent operation aforesaid-control wires between the clamp and the cell, a continuously rotatable feed roll for the web, a switch for rendering the clamp periodically inoperative, and an automatic control for the switch.

6. In web feeding mechanism of the kind operable on a webprovided with control areas in spaced relation along its length and comprising a light sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw light on to said cell by way of the web, the incidence of the light on the cell being modified by the passage of the control areas through it, means for feeding the web past the lamp and means for effecting some subsequent operation feeding step.

7. In web feeding mechanism of the kind operable on a web provided with control areas in spaced relation along its length and comprising a light sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw light on to said cell by way of the web, the

incidence of the light on the cell being modified by the passage of the control areas through it, means for feeding the Web past the lamp and means for effecting some subsequent operation such as cutting on the web, the combination of a first feed roll and a second feed roll spaced apart and timed to feed the web alternately, an electromagnetic clamp located between the rolls and operable by the light sensitive cell to clamp the web stationary when the second feed roll is inoperative, and a switch for releasing the clamp when the first roll becomes operative.

8. In web-feeding mechanism of the kind operable on a web provided with control areas in spaced relation along its length, the combination with a light-sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw light on said cell by way of the web, of feeding means for advancing the web intermittently past the lamp by a length slightly greater than the distance between two control areas so that the control areas pass through and modify the beam of light projected by the lamp on thecell, an electro-magnetic clamp operatively connected to the" cell and operable under the control of the latter to clamp the web stationary each time a control area appears in the beam of light, means timed to move in definite relation to the feeding means to effect a subsequent operation on the web each time it is held stationary and releasing means for causing the clamp to release the web after each said operation has been performed and operable in timed relation to the means for feeding the web.

9. In apparatus for severing lengths from a web having control areas at spaced intervals, the combination with a light-sensitive cell and a lamp arranged to throw a beam of light on to the cell by way of the web, the beam of light being modified periodically by the passage of a control intervals to cut the web, feeding means for feeding the web past the lamp and knife, which feeding means is operable to feed the web through a distance substantially equal to the separation of 5 the control areas in a time that is slightly less than the interval between two successive operations of the knife, an electro-magnetic clamp ALFRED GERMAN ROSE. 

